Temperature monitoring devices for electrical apparatus, switchgears with same and related methods

Abstract

Temperature monitoring devices have a primary body with an inner circular perimeter, a temperature monitoring segment held by the primary body, the temperature monitoring segment comprising an inwardly extending thermal probe, and a fastener assembly segment held by the primary body at a location that is circumferentially spaced apart from the temperature monitoring segment. The fastener assembly segment has a circumferentially extending bracket that can be radially extended in a direction that is toward the inner circular perimeter of the device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates to temperature sensor assemblies particularly suitable for switchgears.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Known temperature monitoring devices on the market today are mostly circular. That means the devices encircle the contacts to measure the temperature of the certain points inside a device such as a switchgear cabinet.[0003]FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C illustrate a conventional temperature monitoring device. The device includes a current transformer (CT) coil 11 with an iron core for energy harvesting and a main body of the measuring device 12. The device also includes a thermal sensor 13 such as a digital wireless thermal sensor and a printed circuit board (PCB) 14 with a processor and wireless chip. The temperature measurement device can have an inner perimeter extending about a circular open center aperture 15 that receives / encircles a contact of an electrical apparatus such as a switchgear. The entire circumference of t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides devices that can better install thermal probes, ensuring a strong connection with the target contact while minimizing heat dissipation. This is achieved through a gear structure that improves heat dissipation performance. The device also has ventilation gap spaces between the temperature monitoring and fastener assembly segments, which help to vent heat and reduce heat dissipation performance degradation.

Problems solved by technology

The entire circumference of the contact is covered by the inner perimeter of the device which can result in poor heat dissipation performance.

Also, the conventional temperature monitoring device has two fastening screws to affix itself to the contact and the sensor probe is fixed to the inner perimeter circle and can't be adjusted.

As a result, the sensor probe may not be properly positioned because of manufacturing variabilities.

Thus, the sensor probe may not touch the contact surface thoroughly which can also influence the measurement accuracy and / or performance.

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